We sailed passed the one month mark feeling fairly well rested, growing in confidence that we still had a happy and thriving baby on our hands!
Then it happened...week 5 came around and turned our child into an unrecognizable 45 minute napper, chow hound, and clingy-crier. Something just wasn't right. So I did what any generation Y parent would do and I turned to my best friend Google to tell me what in the world was wrong with my baby. After some dedicated research I discovered The Wonder Weeks, a book about the first 10 developmental growth spurts or leaps (different than physical growth spurts although lucky for moms like me they can coincide) that take place in a baby's first year of life. What do you know? Week 5 kicks off the first of these Wonder Weeks! Here is what I learned about Wonder Week 5, The World of Changing Sensations: "Baby's perceptions of the outside world starts changing as he starts sensing more of the stimuli around him." The behavior associated with this change is increased crying, clingyness, and trouble sleeping. This was spot on! To cope with these behaviors they recommend talking, rocking, singing and baby wearing. Since I already do a good bit of the talking, rocking, and singing I increased it and added in time in the front pack baby carrier, otherwise reserved for grocery trips so far. Using it around the house allowed me to prepare a fabulous black bean soup for dinner one night and soothe a clingy + crying baby.
Now, we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel- by the end of the weekend, naps were lengthening again and his overall mood seems to be improving. And now I can brace myself for the next one which is scheduled to hit at week 8 where baby begins to recognize patters, distinguishing himself from the world around him, resulting in a HUGE paradigm shift. Sounds exciting, huh? The neat part is when we come out the other side of a wonder week (AKA stormy week) we hit a sunny week where we can noticeably see the progress that he has made as he navigates his way through this crazy life!
The simple fact I am able to blog today is proof that the wonder weeks are survivable and that sunny weeks are ahead. In fact I was also able to indulge in a cool DIY project that I completed during one successful nap time (1 hr 45 min) today. I found it on a blog I follow called How Does She. The title of this particular post caught my eye because it was a tutorial for a make your own infant carrier handle cover (something I debated on buying as we prepared for Owen's arrival but opted out of at the time). I'm sure you've seen them-
This one in particular retails for $16.95. I was able to follow the instructions on the blog found
here and create one without spending a dime or leaving the house. I had all of the materials I needed in my craft bin and sewing kit (fabric left over from recovering stools in our townhouse, leftover nursery fabric, ribbon scraps, velcro from the DIY crib skirt, and foam from the window seat).
This was another simple project that looks fancy and makes a statement to the unknowing observer who thinks I purchased this cute + clever addition to our baby carrier:)
I think it turned out pretty great! And considering how heavy these carriers are, then add in a steadily growing baby boy, it will come in handy the next time I have to lug O Baby through the crowded lobby when early church has just let out (while Dan parks the car) or through the enormous parking lot at the pediatrician's office...among other places.
